How Long Can You Wear a Panty Liner Safely?

Panty liners can be a lifesaver for any woman who’s lightly menstruating or experiencing extra discharge. That said, it’s pretty easy to forget about those ultra-thin products once you put them in and go about your daily routine. But is it actually bad for your health to keep panty liners in for a long time? And if so, what are the risks?

How long can you wear a panty liner?

Experts at U by Kotex say that a panty liner is meant to be worn for one day — and not a moment longer than that. If you plan to wear a panty liner during the nighttime as well, then it’s a good idea to put a new one on right before you go to bed. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that many women may need to change a panty liner long before the day is over: Whenever a panty liner starts to feel moist, that should be your cue to switch it out. If you don’t, then you may be setting yourself up for something much worse than simple discomfort.

You should also avoid leaving one panty liner on for too long of a time for the same reason why you shouldn’t wear panty liners every day. According to the Office on Women’s Health, failing to change panty liners often — or other menstrual products, for that matter — could put you at a higher risk for a nasty yeast infection. Considering that the symptoms of a yeast infection often include painful burning and itching in and around the vagina, we’re guessing you probably want to take every step possible to avoid this pesky problem in the first place.

To further protect yourself from yeast infections in the future, health experts recommend only using panty liners while you’re menstruating and to also avoid any scented feminine products. If you feel like you simply can’t go a single day without panty liners due to ongoing or unusual discharge, it’s possible that you might already have a vaginal infection and should get checked out by your doctor ASAP.